BERHAMPUR: Thecentury-old Ramlingeswar pond that has turned into a stinking swamp used for dumping garbage, will soon get a new lease of life. The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has roped in a private agency to renovate the polluted Ramlingeswar pond, located in the heart of the Silk City. The agency – Dilip Constructions of Bhubaneswar – was awarded the tender on October 20 and would begin the work soon after State Government gives a green signal.
There was a time when the pond water was used by the locals for drinking and irrigation purposes. Although confirmed records are not available regarding the origin of the Ramlingeswar pond, senior citizens said it was dug over an area of about 8.7 acres in 1870s. According to the Ramlingeswar trustees, the pond was owned by the temple trust’s founder AB Chetty but the municipal authorities said the pond was originally owned by the government and its management was later entrusted to the Ramlingeswar trust.
The pond was cleaned at regular intervals till 1970. Later, no attention was paid by the municipality except fencing its bank and setting up cement chairs. A park was also constructed near the embankment of the pond which was an ideal recreation ground for people of the area. However, due to lack of maintenance, weeds have covered the pond and garbage is dumped inside it by locals and eatery owners located in the area. The fountain that was constructed inside the park lies dilapidated. The boundary wall has collapsed at many places and stray animals find their way into the park.
After Mayor K Madhavi assumed charge, BeMC authorities initiated a discussion with BJD leader K Anil Kumar and members of the Ramlingeswar trust about long term maintenance of the pond. In 2015, the State Government had decided to develop the pond into a water sports site and the BeMC prepared a detailed project report (DPR). The DPR was accepted by the Government and `5.5 crore sanctioned for the project. Even as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation stone for the project, but work on it has not been started yet. Another `2.5 crore was sanctioned for development of the pond in the first phase.
The work was delayed due to want of some clarification from the Urban Development Department.
This year, tender for the renovation work was floated and contract was awarded to Dilip Constructions that is implementing projects like construction of Berhampur bus stand and structural frame work of Jagannath temple in Puri.
